Hybrid Living

LEDs really shine as reading lights and desk lights. I like LED reading lights, because they have a directed beam, so they do not disturb your bedroom companions. LEDs desk lamps are also efficient, because they do not get hot, so there’s no risk of burns, or excess heat in the summer. Because LED light [...]

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Filed under: Biodiesel, EV/Plug-in, Lincoln, Green Daily

Remember Neil Young’s Linc Volt, the rock star’s converted 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV? Young is turning the car into a “bio-hydro-electric series hybrid vehicle.” UQM Technologies released a statement this week that explains a bit more about the unique propulsion system that is going into this 2.5 ton, 19.5 foot-long vehicle (the longest production car ever made).

The UQM press release says the company will be supplying a 150-kilowatt power system. Not a lot of detail, true, but we do know that Jonathan Goodwin’s H-Line Conversions is also involved. The partnership will make a huge difference in the eco-friendliness of the ride. The production version Mark IV got 10 mpg. Young’s should get “over 100 miles per gallon, according to UQM.

Related:

• Neil Young, John Goodwin talk about 100 MPG, biodiesel, plug-in 1960 Lincoln Continental on CNN
  
• Neil Young’s 1959 Lincoln runs on biodiesel and can be plugged-in

[Source: Denver Post, UQM]

Rock Legend Neil Young’s Bio-Hydro-Electric Series Hybrid Vehicle Conversion to be Powered by UQM(R) Propulsion System

FREDERICK, COLORADO, JANUARY 29, 2008 … UQM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (AMEX:UQM), a developer of alternative energy technologies, announced today that one of its 150 KW propulsion systems will be powering a 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV being converted to a bio-hydro-electric series hybrid vehicle by rock legend Neil Young in collaboration with Jonathan Goodwin’s H-Line Conversions of Wichita, Kansas.

Young, who has renamed his car “Linc Volt”, is converting the vehicle as part of a personal initiative he calls “Re-powering the American Dream”, which represents his vision of drawing on American ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit to implement technology solutions that can make a meaningful impact on energy consumption now.

Young’s Mark IV is 19.5 feet long, making it the longest production car ever made, and weighs two and one-half tons, the heaviest car of its era. Goodwin-Young estimate that the converted vehicle will achieve over 100 miles per gallon versus the 10 miles per gallon of the stock vehicle. Mr. Young is making a movie about the transformation of his car, which he hopes to release in the fall.

“By drawing on entrepreneurial companies’ advanced technology and good old American ingenuity, we intend to transform one of the largest and heaviest gas guzzling vehicles of our generation into a highly energy efficient vehicle, and demonstrate to the American public that we can re-power the American dream by demanding environmentally-friendly vehicles now”, said Mr. Young. “Our country is full of innovative entrepreneurs and advanced technology companies, like H-Line Conversions and UQM Technologies, who have the capability and drive to make big things happen.”

“We are pleased to have been selected by Neil and H-Line conversions as the propulsion system supplier for this high visibility project. The vehicle will be powered by our most technologically advanced and powerful propulsion system, the PowerPhase(C)150, which I am confident will deliver performance that exceeds their expectations,” said William G. Rankin, President and CEO of UQM Technologies, Inc.

H-Line Conversions specializes in custom vehicle conversions that turn gas-guzzling behemoths like Hummers, Cadillac Escalades, Jeeps and other big American cars into clean-power machines. Located in Wichita, Kansas, H-Line converted vehicles have been featured on MTV’s “Pimp my Ride” and upcoming conversions are being taped for a television series that is set for national television release. For more information on the Company, please visit its worldwide website at www.hlineconversion.com.

Neil Young has established himself as one of the most influential singer/songwriters of his generation. He began his career in the 60’s with the folk-rock band Buffalo Springfield. After leaving the band in 1968, Mr. Young established a solo career as a songwriter and singer spanning three decades. In addition to a successful solo career, Mr. Young also performed with the band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young during the 1970’s.

UQM Technologies, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of power dense, high efficiency electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers for the automotive, aerospace, medical, military and industrial markets. A major emphasis of the Company is developing products for the alternative energy technologies sector including propulsion systems for electric, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, under-the-hood power accessories and other vehicle auxiliaries and distributed power generation applications. The Company’s headquarters, engineering and product development center, and motor manufacturing operation are located in Frederick, Colorado. For more information on the Company, please visit its worldwide website at www.uqm.com.

This Release contains statements that constitute �forward-looking statements� within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements appear in a number of places in this Release and include statements regarding our plans, beliefs or current expectations, including those plans, beliefs and expectations of our officers and directors with respect to, among other things the development of markets for our products and the adequacy of our cash balances and liquidity to meet future operating needs. Important Risk Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements are contained in our Form 10-Q filed October 31, 2007, which is available through our website at www.uqm.com or at www.sec.gov.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Wind turbines don’t seem to have changed very much in the last few decades. Yes, they’ve gotten a heck of a lot bigger. And I will tell you that the innards of the devices have been the subject of industrial espionage and patent wars.

But they look pretty much the same.

Which might lead you to believe that there’s not much we can do to make wind turbines much more efficient than they already are. But "FloDesign" seems to think that is not the case. For the first time since I started EcoGeek, I’m seeing horizontal axis wind turbine that doesn’t look like a great-big propeller.

What it does look like is a great big jet engine. And maybe that makes sense, as jet engines are more efficient than props in driving airplanes. I’m afraid I can’t explain the technology, because fluid dynamics are way over my head, but the designers of the turbine are making some fascinating claims.

There is a theoretical limit to how efficient wind turbines can be. But the designers of this turbine say that it removes whatever limitation makes that constant apply, and thus these turbines can be far more efficient and cost-effective:

A stator-rotor turbine cascade design is used to more effectively extract energy from the flow. For a given wind velocity, a MEWT having a maximum diameter 50% smaller than an existing 3-Bladed HAWT can potentially generate over 50% more power, and can potentially cost 25-35% less than the same HAWT.

So we’re talking about a 25% decrease in cost with 50% more power generated. If I’m doing the numbers right, that makes wind significantly cheaper than coal throughout the entire Midwest United States. But this is still at the early stages of research and development. There needs to be a lot of work done before we’ll know anything for sure. But I will say that FloDesign is officially in my RSS reader…I can’t wait to hear what news they’ve got next.

Filed under: Etc., Green Daily, USA

The group 40 MPG (a project of the Civil Society Institute) sends out regular surveys to gauge public perception about the future of gas prices. Last May, for example, 40 MPG and CSI found that 72 percent of Americans were expecting $3.50 gallons of gas on the way (which didn’t happen). This week, the group finds a similar percentage (71) are expecting even worse prices – $4 a gallon – in summer 2008 and that 48 percent expect prices over $4 by the middle of this year. Whether or not those prices come, 40 MPG and CSI say that over half of Americans worry more about high gas prices than recession, the mortgage problems and unemployment. You can read about the details and the methodology of the study in the press release after the jump.

The survey – which asked Americans about all sorts of energy issues – found that most people don’t think the federal government is doing enough to reduce oil dependency and that where candidates stand on “gasoline prices, home heating oil prices, global warming and energy independence” will affect how people will vote in this fall’s election.

Related:

• Survey shows 3 out of 4 Americans favor 40 mpg by 2010
• Think $3 a gallon is bad? $3.50 is coming soon, say 72 percent of Americans
• Michigan residents support 40 mpg and think auto industry in trouble
• Only two 40+ mpg models available in the U.S., 113 overseas

[Source: Civil Society Institute, Newton, Mass.; 40MPG.org, Washington, DC]

Gas Prices and 2008 Leadership Survey: 71 Percent Expect $4 Gas This Summer, Bigger Fear For Public Than Recession, Mortgage Meltdown and Joblessness

Dissatisfaction With Washington Steps to Date on Energy and Climate a Clear Theme in Findings; $4 or Higher Gas Would Mean Big Boost for Gas-Sipping Cars, Cuts in 2008 Spending and Travel

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Gas prices this summer reaching $4 a gallon are expected by 71 percent of Americans, of whom more than half (51 percent) cite fuel prices as their #1 economic worry for 2008, ahead of fears of recession, the mortgage foreclosure meltdown and the prospect of more joblessness.

A scientific national survey of 1001 Americans conducted for the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (CSI) think tank and its 40MPG.org project also found that what presidential and congressional candidates say about energy issues could have a big impact on the outcome of the 2008 elections. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent) – including 95 percent of Democrats and 84 percent of both Republicans and Independents – say that “the views of candidates on energy-related issues — such as gasoline prices, home heating oil prices, global warming and energy independence” will be an important factor in how they vote.

Other key findings of the new CSI/40MPG.org survey include: Over four out of five Americans (84 percent) – including 91 percent of Democrats, 80 percent of Independents and 76 percent of Republicans — do not “think the federal government is doing enough about high energy prices and the U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern energy sources”; nearly half of Americans (49 percent) are “not satisfied” that “Congress did everything it could to improve fuel-efficiency rules for U.S. automakers” in recently increasing federal mile-per-gallon standards; over four out of five Americans (84 percent) think “big oil companies are currently gouging consumers at the gas pump”; and about four out of five Americans (79 percent) would support “a tax on the windfall profits of oil companies if the resulting revenues were spent” for “research on alternative energy.”

Civil Society Institute President and Founder Pam Solo: “Americans are clearly expecting more bad news in terms of energy prices and they are not satisfied that elected official have done everything they can to deal with the intertwined issues of U.S. energy security and addressing global warming. Americans are looking for leadership on energy and climate issues, they understand the complex problems ahead and they want their leaders to lead and produce tangible results and they seem ready to deliver that message in the fall.”

40MPG.org spokesperson Ailis Aaron Wolf said: “These survey findings suggest that $4-a-gallon gasoline could be a real tipping point for the public in terms of an even bigger rush for hybrids, clean diesels and other highly fuel-efficient vehicles. It is interesting to note in particular that young people who have been raised in a ‘high-cost fuel environment’ over the last decade are overwhelmingly inclined to abandon gas guzzlers in favorite of gas-sipping, climate-friendly vehicles.”

Opinion Research Corporation Senior Researcher Graham Hueber said: “Gas prices rising to $4 or higher will further tighten the wobbly U.S. economy. Over half of Americans (52 percent) said that gas prices at $4 would cause them to ‘cut back on … summer or end-of-year holiday travel’ and nearly three out of five (58 percent) say they would ‘cut back on your personal spending to help pay for higher gasoline prices.’ Interestingly, Republicans (63 percent) were the most likely to cut back on personal spending at the $4-a-gallon gasoline level, compared to 57 percent of Democrats and 49 percent of Independents. If gasoline rises over $4 a gallon, nearly three out of five Americans (58 percent) will cut back on travel plans, while 63 percent will pull back on their personal spending.”

SURVEY FINDINGS

The detailed findings of the Civil Society Institute/40MPG.org survey include the following:

– In addition to 71 percent of Americans expecting gasoline prices to reach $4 a gallon this summer, nearly half (48 percent) expect gas prices to exceed $4 a gallon by mid-year.

– High energy prices top recession fears and the mortgage foreclosure crisis as American’s most often-cited economic problem in 2008. More than half of Americans cited “rising gasoline and home heating oil prices” (51 percent), followed by the recession/economic slowdown (47 percent), the mortgage crisis/falling home prices (31 percent), higher inflation (21 percent), and an increase in joblessness (18 percent). Concern about high gasoline and other fuel prices is bipartisan, but sharply divided on income lines, cited by 70 percent of households earning less than $25,000 per year, compared to 37 percent of households earning $75,000 or more per year.

– Over half of Americans (52 percent) said that gas prices at $4 would cause them to “cut back on …summer or end-of-year holiday travel” and nearly three out of five (58 percent) say they would “cut back on their personal spending to help pay for higher gasoline prices.” If gasoline rises over $4 a gallon, nearly three out of five Americans (58 percent) will cut back on travel plans, while 63 percent will pull back on their personal spending.

– More than a third (37 percent) of Americans say they would be more likely to buy a hybrid, clean diesel or other highly fuel-efficient vehicle if the price of gasoline goes to $4. This percentage increases to 44 percent if the price of gas exceeds $4 a gallon.

– Rising fuel prices already have caused 34 percent of Americans who drive to or at work to cut back on their driving. Even though 65 percent are driving the same amount as before, the reason is that they have no choice but to do so. Only 12 percent of those in this group who have not cut back on their driving in the face of higher gasoline prices are doing so because they are insensitive to the prices. By contrast, over half of Americans (52 percent) who have not cut back on driving say they “have to (keep driving) in order to keep earning a living.” Half of those making $25,000 a year or less have cut back on their driving, compared to just 23 percent of those in households earning $75,000 or more. Democrats (39 percent) and Independents (40 percent) are more likely than Republicans (24 percent) to be driving less.

– About half of Americans (49 percent) are “not satisfied” that “Congress did everything it could to improve fuel-efficiency rules for U.S. automakers” in recently increasing federal mile-per-gallon standards. Fewer than one in 10 Americans (8 percent) say they are “very satisfied” that Congress did all it could, compared to a quarter (24 percent) who are “not at all satisfied.”

– About four out of five Americans (79 percent) would support “a tax on the windfall profits of oil companies if the resulting revenues were spent” for “research on alternative energy.” Over half of Americans (52 percent) say they would support this approach “a great deal.” The strong bipartisan support for this approach includes 72 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Independents and 84 percent of Democrats. If the funds were used for the “creation of a federal emergency fund to offset the harm of future climate change-related disasters, such as hurricanes, droughts and wildfires,” support for a windfall profits tax comes in at 64 percent support – including 48 percent of Republicans, 55 percent of Independents and 77 percent of Democrats.

– More than two out of five Americans (44 percent) now are more likely “to buy a hybrid, clean-diesel or other more fuel-efficient vehicle” than they were six months ago. Strikingly, the group that is most likely to do so is sharply divided by age: two out of three 18-24 year olds (67 percent) and fewer than three out of 10 (29 percent) of those over the age of 65. When the number of Americans who are just as likely to buy a hybrid now as they were six months ago (28 percent) is factored in, the total of number of Americans who are more or as likely to buy highly fuel-efficient vehicles climbs to 72 percent.

– Over half of Americans (52 percent) — including 59 percent of men and 45 percent of women — drive to or at work. Of these Americans, 48 percent drive a car to work and 4 percent drive at work, e.g., truck drivers, salesmen, etc. Two thirds of Americans who drive to work commute 100 miles a week or less, 18 percent travel 101-200 miles per week and 15 percent commute 201 miles per week or more, including 11 percent who log 300 miles or more behind the wheel each week.

For the full CSI/40MPG.org survey findings, please go to http://www.civilsocietyinstitute.org/ or http://www.40mpg.org/.

METHODOLOGY

The Opinion Research Corporation survey for the Civil Society Institute/40MPG.org was conducted by phone among a sample of 1,001 adults (500 men and 501 women) aged 18 and older living in private households in the Continental United States. Interviewing was completed January 11-14, 2008. The survey was weighted by four variables: age, sex, geographic region and race to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total population. The margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level for the full sample is plus or minus 3 percent. Smaller sub-groups will have larger error margins.

CSI and 40MPG.org conducted earlier national opinion surveys about rising gasoline prices in September 2005 and May 2007.

ABOUT CSI

The nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (http://www.civilsocietyinstitute.org/) is a Massachusetts-based think tank that serves as a catalyst for change by creating problem-solving interactions among people, and between communities, government and business that can help to improve society. Since 2003, CSI has conducted more than 15 major national and state-level surveys on energy and global warming issues. CSI is a facilitator of Clean Energy Action Now (CLEAN) at http://www.cleanenergyaction.net/ and the organizer of both 40MPG.org (http://www.40mpg.org/) and the Hybrid Owners of America (http://www.hybridownersofamerica.org/).

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, Legislation and Policy, European Union

Spain and Portugal are getting into the green car biz. The two countries are investing 150m EUROS into an effort to create a fuel cell or electric car project called Mobi-green. The governments hopes the partnership will mean new jobs and a prototype will be built by the end of the year.

“We want to create the technology that will allow us to consume the least amount of gasoline possible,” said Spanish Minister for Industry Joan Clos. “Our goal is to create an environmentally friendly car that can be produced with technology from Portugal and Spain,”is how Braz Costa, head of Portugal’s CEIIA research center, put it.

Portugal’s CEIIA will build the car along with Spain’s CTAG. The funding will come from the private and public sectors. Mobi-green reminds me of other recent pushes from government and private companies like the Israeli Project Better Place and the Parisian Bertrand Delanöe.

[Source: TVNZ]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Jamie Hyneman, the famously beret-clad Mythbuster, recently just wrote a fantastic list of lame-ass (and coincidentally environmentally disastrous) things about today’s consumer electronics industry. It’s great to see him coming to agree with EcoGeek from a completely different angle.

He bemoans the fact that there are no standard battery sizes for new lithium-ions, and you can never find the battery you want for the device you need powered. Jamie points out that no one would buy Chevys if you needed a Chevrolet battery to start the thing.

Useless software, preloaded onto computers, wastes space and creates a constant drain on your processor, and thus your power grid. "Obnoxious" electronics in cars only make the things go obsolete and break more quickly. And, of course, everything in a car is designed to be completely impossible for an amateur (or even a mythbuster) to fix these days.

It’s a fascinating and entertaining look at how the gadgets of our lives only make us more frustrated and less capable people. But there are also a few good examples people trying to fix these problems. The problem of 10,000 different chargers for 10,000 different phones, for example, is nearly ready to be tackled:

Miraculously, the industry appears to be working on a solution to this problem. The Open Mobile Terminal Platform (omtp.org) is supported by a number of manufacturers that would like to see the micro USB become the stand­ard connector. It’s too early to know if they will succeed; let’s hope they do.

Filed under: Legislation and Policy

With the field of potential nominees to be the Republican candidate for president this year rapidly dwindling, the front runners at the moment are now hitting the most delegate-heavy states in preparation for next weeks “Super Tuesday” primaries. Twenty-one states will go to the polls next week including California where environmental concerns are one of the big issues. During a debate on CNN on Wednesday evening former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain both came out in favor of California’s attempts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

In December Romney held the opposite view, indicating that the federal government should be setting the limits for carbon emissions, a position in line with the domestic automakers. That however was before Michigan held its primary, which Romney won. It’s not that McCain, Romney or any other candidate shouldn’t support California’s efforts. However, given their party’s traditional recalcitrance on the issue, Romney in particular comes across as insincere at best. On air during the debate Romney agreed that states should be able to make their own decisions. Off-air when few people are likely to notice, the Romney campaign issued a statement that the federal government, not states, should set the limits.

[Source: Detroit News]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Etc., Lightweight, USA

I could’a had a V8. Ever heard that one? Sure, people like their cars to be powerful and fun to drive. It used to be that there was a distinction between the term “sports car” and “muscle car“. Sure, sports cars must be quick to accelerate and change direction, but they don’t require honkin’ V8 engines to be an enjoyable ride. Muscle cars, historically, were not built to go fast around corners but to blast the ol’ 1320 in as little time as possible. In fact, having a huge lump of iron under the hood of your sportscar often has a negative impact on driving dynamics. Take a good look at what Lotus has done and is still doing for an excellent example of what we are talking about.

Take a look at this blog posting at The Detroit News. It seems that the writer knows only the joys of straight-line acceleration. Mind you, we are not advocating underpowered cars, just pointing out that a vehicle need not have a V8 engine to be fun to drive.

[Source: The Detroit News]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, Zap, Natural Gas

Zap’s partnership with Youngman Automotive Group is expanding. The two companies announced yesterday that Zap now has the rights to distribute the Chinese company’s full line of buses in the North American bus market. In September 2007, Zap and Youngman announced they would partner in a joint venture that will bring new EVs, and hybrids to market. That agreement dealt with “electric and hybrid vehicles for the passenger car, truck and bus markets.” The new announcement doesn’t deal with those advanced technologies (Zap will promote Youngman buses that run on compressed natural gas/CNG), but does broaden Zap’s offerings in the U.S. As Youngman Chairman Pang Qingnian said in a statement:

The more I look at the emerging market for advanced technology vehicles, the more I see that ZAP is one of the only companies offering a selection of vehicles available for sale today. Buses can only enhance ZAP’s overall business plan and I decided, rather than wait until the joint venture vehicles become available, to do something today that can benefit both companies. Also, my family and I have come to know Mr. Steve Schneider over the past year and this has become much more than a business relationship. I have complete confidence and trust in him and working together I believe we can make a difference for the world environment.

From Zap’s point of view, the plan is to make some money off of these buses. ZAP CEO Steve Schneider said that, “These buses are highly profitable and will add to our marketing and distribution strategy.”

Related:

• Zap just now looking for someone to engineer the Alias, hopes to start production Q2 ‘09
• ZAP enters into joint venture with China’s Youngman for new EVs, hybrids

[Source: ZAP]

ZAP Signs Second Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Youngman for North American Bus Market

JINHUA, China and SANTA ROSA, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Youngman Automotive Group, one of China’s leading bus manufacturers, has signed a second exclusive distribution agreement with US electric car pioneer ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) granting the rights to distribute its full line of buses in North America, the two companies announced jointly today.

Youngman has become a leading manufacturer of buses in China under the leadership of Chairman Pang Qingnian. The Company specializes in luxury motor coaches for tourism and corporate use as well as high quality public transportation for municipalities. Youngman’s motor coaches have been issued a five star rating by the Chinese Ministry of Construction. The Company also builds high-quality commercial trucks and recently received one of a limited number of licenses to make automobiles from the Chinese government. A leader in China’s manufacturing sector, Mr. Pang was recently elected as a Congressman for Zhejiang province.

“The more I look at the emerging market for advanced technology vehicles, the more I see that ZAP is one of the only companies offering a selection of vehicles available for sale today,” said Youngman Chairman Pang. “Buses can only enhance ZAP’s overall business plan and I decided, rather than wait until the joint venture vehicles become available, to do something today that can benefit both companies. Also, my family and I have come to know Mr. Steve Schneider over the past year and this has become much more than a business relationship. I have complete confidence and trust in him and working together I believe we can make a difference for the world environment.”

Youngman is currently manufacturing and exporting six bus platforms available in 71 different configurations with the capacity to build 10,000 units annually. Youngman and ZAP expect to introduce buses using electric, hybrid and other advanced technology power trains as part of their joint venture. While today’s agreement is based on conventional bus technologies, ZAP CEO Steve Schneider is looking forward to marketing energy efficient buses, particularly those that run on compressed natural gas.

“These buses are highly profitable and will add to our marketing and distribution strategy,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. “Youngman is already exporting to Russia, Germany, other parts of Europe and the Pacific Rim and we look forward to introducing these low-cost, high quality buses to the North American market. Initially our objective is to attract volume distribution to penetrate the market with a longer-term objective of creating economic growth and green collar jobs in California.”

This is the second exclusive distribution agreement for ZAP with Youngman. In October 2007, the two companies signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture, market and distribute electric and hybrid vehicles for the passenger car, truck and bus markets. ZAP will focus on marketing and distribution while Youngman will contribute manufacturing and development resources. Albert Lam is the Chairman of the joint venture company as well as a member of ZAP’s board of directors.

“Since joining ZAP I wanted to make a contribution towards the company’s future. Bringing ZAP and Youngman together on this distributorship arrangement can take ZAP to the next level,” said Mr. Lam, who stepped down as CEO of Lotus Engineering last year to be Chairman of the new joint venture company being established between ZAP and Youngman.

Lam added: “After completing a world tour with Steve Schneider and seeing the reactions on a global level from the manufactures, suppliers, distributors, and investors, I could not be more enthusiastic. The world is changing and it takes visionary companies with an entrepreneurial spirit like ZAP and Youngman to take a leadership role and make things happen.”

About Youngman Automotive Group

Youngman recently introduced advanced manufacturing technology to its facilities in a joint venture with Neoplan of Germany. Youngman’s manufacturing is based on the ISO9001 international standard of quality for its bus production. The manufacturing facility in Jinhua, China covers an area over four million square feet. Youngman employs 4,000 workers, including 700 research and development staff. With seven production facilities in process, Youngman expects to soon have the capacity to produce 200,000 vehicles per year, including a capacity to build 10,000 buses annually. For more information about Youngman Automotive Group, visit http://www.youngman-bus.com/.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company’s products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company’s dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.